The Role Of Satire In 'Da Ali G'

Good evening ladies and gentlemen, it is an honour to present here at the Brisbane Comedy Festival and to recognise the important role that humour plays in society.

Stereotypes have always been used in comedies. Stephen Amos reveals when comics consciously tackle controversial social issues using stereotypes, they can reach people on a more meaningful level. Amos contends that satire can explore ideas in a counterintuitive way, to subvert society’s norms by representing people’s views and beliefs beyond normal bounds (BBC, 2016). Hence, it can be said that satire incorporates elements such as ridicule and exaggeration to make the ingrained racial stereotypes and beliefs that we live by seem totally ridiculous and impertinent.

‘Da Ali G

Being Italian, people deem me based on notorious Italian stereotypes in that I am habitually late and am greasy and dirty. Stereotypes are inaccurate and degrading as they ignore the humanity and uniqueness of people and so I believe they should be challenged. The message of the text concerns everyone as stereotypes apply to all members of society whether they are based on race, religion, gender or class. Teenagers are presumed to take selfies all day, whilst British people are believed to be pale and ridiculously polite, Australians are apparently all bronzed and sporty and blonde women are revealed to dumb. Stereotypes perpetuate a divide and affect the way people treat each other. They are derogatory and stand in the way of people processing newly-developing characteristics in social, ethnic or economic

This text is humorous as the government advisor is so ignorant as to believe Ali’s exaggerated stereotype. Furthermore, the incongruity of having a high-minded government advisor placed with a mindless gangster who consumes illegal drugs is amusing. Comical questions such as, “for real, what if your pet looks sad, could you give it an ecstasy pill?” amuse the audience because it is outspoken and unfamiliar material. Also, a white actor mimicking a black gangster with exaggerated dress, speech and gestures also contributes to the humour.

Many black people find Ali G degrading, they view the show as white people mocking black people and are concerned that viewers think that all black people behave similarly to Ali (Gibson, 2000). British rabbis also find the show “immoral” and an embarrassment to their faith since Sacha Baron Cohen is Jewish (National Review, 2004).

Our tendency to label racial groups as superior or inferior is cleverly mocked in this text. The text demonstrates the stupidity and impertinence in racial stereotypes. People judging others based on stereotypes, creates a segregated society where each race is placed into their relevant category with societal expectations as to how they act, speak and